The Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP has extended the term of Rosemary Squire OBE by 12 months, ending on 25 April 2018.

The terms of appointment of Professor John Brewer, Justin Turner QC and Janice Shardlow have been extended until 30 September 2017

Nick Pollard has had a distinguished career in British journalism and broadcasting spanning more than forty five years.

Nick began his career as a local newspaper journalist on Merseyside in 1968 and worked for BBC Radio and TV News during the 1970s. He joined ITN in 1980 and became Executive Producer of News at Ten and responsible for major story coverage in the UK and around the world. From 1996 to 2006 Nick was Head of Sky News during which time the channel won numerous awards for its reporting of events around the globe. From 2009 to 2015 Nick was Chief Executive of Services Sound and Vision Corporation, the charity that runs British Forces Broadcasting and other services for the UK’s armed forces. He became a member of the Content Board of Ofcom, the UK’s broadcasting and telecommunications industry regulator, in 2016. Nick is a Fellow of the Royal Television Society and in 2007 was awarded the RTS’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Television Journalism. He was Chairman of the Society’s annual Journalism Awards from 2008-2011. In 2012 he carried out the independent inquiry into the BBC’s handling of the Jimmy Savile affair, producing ‘The Pollard Report’ on the matter in December 2012.

The Board of Ofcom is appointed by the Secretary of State. Board Members are paid £42,519 per annum.

This appointment has been made by exception under the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Nick Pollard was initially appointed to the Ofcom Board for an interim period of 6 months, from 14 November 2016. However, given the need for stability and continuity for Ofcom as it goes through a period of significant change and takes on additional responsibilities for regulating the BBC, the Secretary of State has decided to appoint Nick Pollard by exception for a period of 12 months to 13 May 2018.

In accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Nick has declared no such political activity.

Today, the Secretary of State, Rt. Hon. James Brokenshire MP, has announced plans for a shared UK-Ireland commemoration ceremony on 7 June 2017 to mark the centenary of the Battle of Messines Ridge.

The battle has considerable historic and symbolic significance for the UK and Ireland, as Messines was the first time that the 36th (Ulster) and 16th (Irish) Divisions fought alongside each other during the Great War. The UK and Irish governments have now committed to working together to deliver a shared ceremony of commemoration, in the spirit of the 36th (Ulster) and 16th (Irish) divisions at the battle.

Making the announcement today, Rt. Hon. James Brokenshire MP said:

I am pleased to announce this shared UK-Ireland ceremony to mark the centenary of the Battle of Messines. We have seen all too well how history can divide, but our ambitious goal throughout this decade of centenaries is to seek to use history to bring us together, and to build on the political progress that has been made throughout these islands.

This shared ceremony is an opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of those who fought at Messines Ridge, as well as to further strengthen the important relationship that exists between the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The commemoration ceremony will take place at the Island of Ireland Peace Park in Messines, Belgium, and will be a ticketed event. Members of the public who wish to express an interest in attending the commemoration can obtain further details here (MS Word Document, 169KB) .

Ends.

Notes to Editors:

1. Expressions of interest are now being sought from individuals interested in attending the Battles of Messines Ridge Centenary Commemoration, at the Island of Ireland Peace Park at 2pm on 7 June 2017.

2. Invitations will issue shortly to invited guests. All those interested in applying for a public ticket are asked to complete a brief form which can be found here (MS Word Document, 169KB) before submitting it to messinesqueries@dfa.ie. If you would like to receive the form in an alternative format, please contact messinesqueries@dfa.ie.

3. Given the likely level of interest in attending this ceremony, tickets cannot be guaranteed to all who apply and tickets may be allocated through a ballot system.

4. Priority will be given to the relatives of those who fought in the battle and persons who can provide demonstrable evidence of a particular interest in, or link to, commemoration of the Battle of Messines, in a context of reconciliation.

5. Further information on logistics for the ceremony will follow in due course.

6. The closing date for expressions of interest is Friday 5 May 2017 at 12 noon.

Paul Newby, the Pubs Code Adjudicator, has today announced the latest figures on completed arbitration cases.

The total number of cases in which the Adjudicator has made awards has now reached 25, including the five first cases announced on 9 March 2017.

Mr Newby said: “We are making good progress in moving cases through the arbitration process and this rising figure of awards shows that our systems and resources are robust and working.

“We currently have 97 cases at different stages within the arbitration process. The timetable for resolving cases is largely in the hands of the parties to the dispute but my team and I are making all efforts to ensure the process moves forward as quickly as possible. This includes issuing prompts and reminders for information or actions whenever there are delays.

“I continue to encourage tenants and pub-owning businesses to sit down together and negotiate purposefully. As a result, in a number of cases this is achieving the desired result of a narrowing of the issues, a stronger negotiating position for tenants and swifter settlements.

“Arbitration awards remain private unless all parties to the dispute agree to release details. However, I am committed to identifying general principles where I can do so without breaching confidentiality and will share these with tenants and pub-owning businesses to help guide their future relationships.

“The PCA enquiry line remains open for tenants and others who want help understanding the Code and there is a wealth of information on the PCA website, including flowcharts and templates to guide tenants and their representatives through the processes. I urge them to read and understand this information.”

For further information contact Sheree Dodd on office@pca.gsi.gov.uk